[IC] The gladiator and the princess

[Xion Demente]

Robert was surprised but responded to it, before pulling back, "love you too princess." Smiled slightly to himself, "Joseph will take good care of the helmet I know it he just likes being around me reminds me of me when I was little was fascinated with fighting and being what I am today a knight though I know I won't be able to take a thrown alongside you but the closest thing I can get is being the knight commander."

Sighing slightly, "I'll need to take the pledge of being knight commander later but right now with everything that's going on I'll probably do it tomorrow." Smiling at her, for now I might as well see what fighting skills the ex-slaves have and I'll know there name by the end of the day."

[tsubasa]

Lauralye looked up at him and smiled as he spoke of Joseph. However, it faded slightly when he mentioned seeing how well the slaves could fight. She bit her lip, "Does that have to happen today?" She asked innocently, "Between my lessons and your training and holding up appearances... We haven't had much time alone... Last night was the first time in a long time..." She looked up at him, her eyes big and wide, "Can't we slip away for a while and be a Queen and her guard? Just us?"

[Xion Demente]

Robert chuckled to that before sighing, he nodded to that. "If that is what you want my queen then so shall be it." Though anyone could tell he used the title lightly with a smile on his face. He would keep in his armor for now, till she wanted him either out of it or anything else she wanted to do.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye smiled and took his hand before walking into one of the many secret passages in the palace. With the subjects staying in the palace they would get less time to themselves to just be with each other. It was nice to know that for now, they could be alone.

She pulled him into a small library that was covered in quite a bit of dust. She looked over him, "No one should bother us here... The only entrances are through secret passages... I don't think the maids even know about it."

She dusted off the table a little and sat down, "You do well with the people..." She said quietly, "You'd make a good king...."

[Xion Demente]

Robert nodded when she said that the only way in only she knew. He sighed slightly when she brought up that he'd make a great king, swallowing slightly to that. "I don't know lauralye I'm not a man for politics." He rubbed the back of his head, "and anyone around here does well with people." He looked at her, he was pacing it usually happened when he was nervous it was a habit he had picked up from one of his neighbors by accident. He just didn't know if he'd be the right guy for the job there was a lot more responsibility for being king than just being good with people that's what scared him the most.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye watched Robert as he suddenly started to pace, clearly nervous. She hopped off the table and stopped him in his tracks. She took both of his hands and smiled at him, "I'm not saying you should become king... I'm just saying that you would be a good one... You care about these people in ways that David and my father didn't and... that means the world to me... Just to have you there," She shook her head, "I mean... I know you are going to be there. But I just wish we didn't have to keep up appearances..."

[Xion Demente]

Robert nodded to her words, relaxing somewhat. A small sigh escaping his lips, "I know you wished we didn't I know. I'll think about it, you have my word on that ill think about it, but if I turn it down it wont matter i'll still be by your side." his gauntleted hands held hers, another sigh escaping his lips. Looking at there hands then up to her face, "I cant make any promises that ill become king but I will think on it for now see if I do or don't."

[tsubasa]

Lauralye looked up at him and gave him a soft smile, "I don't care what you choose... So long as you are beside me."

She released his hands and wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek upon his chest. She closed her eyes and just stood there. She couldn't hear his heart beat through his armor. However, she did enjoy the cool feeling of the metal against her cheek. After sometime, she stepped back, "I suppose you have work to get to with the former slaves... I should probably head to my father's study and try to fix some of the messes he made..."

[Xion Demente]

Robert nodded to that, he smiled softly down at her. She released him, letting a sigh escape his lips. "I guess princess," he kissed the top of her head. "Just don't work to hard," as he stepped back into the secret passages. Once he was back in the halls, making his way toward the barracks. Seeing the ex-slaves already working with the swords. Frowning slightly, before he stepped forward correcting a few stances here and there.

He called out each stroke for stroke, so they could get used to the rhythm. A couple of hours passed before he told them to take a break. He watched as they got some water, and sitting down talking amount themselves. He would join a conversation here and there whenever he could. Before long they were, back at it though he wasn't calling out the strokes.

Before long he had them stop for the night, they were good people and if they were given the right motivation they would protect this country with there lives. Robert would have to get them armor, just like his if they were going to fight in this war. Nodding slightly to himself at that, he walked back to there room before he saw Joseph.

"What are you doing out here?" Joseph turned to him before running up, gripping Roberts leg tightly. "I don't want to sleep by myself Robert I don't." He felt the metal of his helmet against his leg, Robert sighed slightly. Before picking the kid up, "alright then you can sleep with me then." Joseph's eyes widened before he hugged Robert around the neck mumbling thank yous into his neck. Once back at the room, he set Joseph down.

Getting out of the armor, and only into his jeans he laid down on the bed, just for Joseph to get on his chest and go out like a light. Robert smiled to himself, before falling asleep himself an arm around the kid on top of him.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye watched as Robert left the room before she leaned back against the table and sighed. She brushed some of her hair out of her face before she also made her way out of the secret passage. The halls were empty as she wandered to her father's study. She found it in a very large mess, papers scattered all over the room. If there was any kind of organization to it all, she couldn't see it. She gathered a few papers off the ground before she took her seat behind the desk. She grabbed a few books as well that she hoped would help her understand all that was in front of her.

She worked through it all without stopping, other than to light a few candles. She looked over her shoulder sometime later to see that it was very dark and leaned back in her chair, yawning. She didn't think she had made took much progress in her father's paperwork but she had some, which was better than before. She stood blew out the candles she had lit and made her way to her room. She was ready for bed and to curl up in Robert's arms.

However, when she opened the door to her room, she found that Robert wasn't alone. From the door, as the light from the hall cast a dim light, she could see like Joseph curled up in her spot. She bit her lip and stepped back into the hall, closing the door. She rested her head against the wood and sighed. She couldn't sleep in there now without Joseph questioning her and Robert's relationship and if people found out... He would be nearly forced to be King and she knew that he didn't want that.

She turned away from her door and headed down the hall. She wiped under her eyes and found them to be slightly damp. She supposed she could feel the separation between her and Robert more than ever. Before they at least had the night together, even if he didn't sleep in her bed again until last night. They spoke at night and had a chance to be in love with each other.... Today, all they had were those few moments they had stolen alone...

She wandered up a flight of stairs into the tower. She pulled out her petticoat from under her dress and loosened her corset. She placed her crown upon the table in the middle of the small room and curled up on the couch. She fell asleep with tears in her eyes.

[Xion Demente]

Robert woke up to find Joseph missing he sighed, rubbing his face slightly. He didn't want to get up, looking around finding his armor scattered everywhere. Then he checked his pocket, his eyes widening in fear. He got to his feet quickly, quickly picking up his armor, putting it in a neat file in a part of the room. He looked around the room not finding the ring, he mentally cursed himself.

His brows creased, only other person that would take it is Joseph. He clenched his fist, letting out a strangled sigh to that. Before he plopped back down on the bed, holding his face in his hand. The little guy took it his helmet too, he was probably outside the walls by now with the ring and the helmet.

The kid had acted way to nice, had ran to him. Stupid street rat, the last thing he had of his mother gone. Swallowing pressing the heel of his palm into his eyes trying not to lose it trying not to break. He had promised he wouldn't lose the thing, now it's gone along with the helmet two good things gone probably sold off. He didn't want to go anywhere, not anymore.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye woke up sore from lying on the couch. She rubbed her eyes and looked out the window of the tower. The sun had risen, which most likely meant that Robert and, in turn, Joseph had left her room. She slipped back into her petticoat and retied her corset as she knew that she would have to appear prim and proper at all times outside of her room now. She brushed her hair a little and replaced her crown on her head and hoped that no one would notice she still wore the same clothes she had the day before.

She left the tower she had spent the night in and headed back to her room. When she got to her door, she poked her head in. If Joseph were still in the room, she was sure that she could come up with some excuse about why she was there. She didn't see Joseph though, she just saw a very upset Robert. She quickly stepped in the room, closing the door behind her, and walked over to Robert. She sat down next to him and gingerly placed her hands on his shoulders, "Robert..." She said quietly, "What's wrong?"

[Xion Demente]

Robert shook his head, "he took it my helmet and my mothers ring the last thing I had of her gone." A strangled sigh escaped his lips, he kept his gaze to the floor he was shaking lightly. Swallowing, "I knew something was up he came to me first more than anyone else he was searching for things whenever I saw him now the ring and my helmet is gone."

[tsubasa]

Lauralye sighed and rested her head upon his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Robert," A moment later though she giggled, "If only he had known he was in the Princess's room. There are far more things here that are worth more in value than sentiment."

She stood and kissed his temple before she walked to her wardrobe, she didn't bother to close the door. She stripped down and pulled on a plain shirt and brown pants. When she stepped out, she placed her crown on her vanity. She pulled her hair up into a hat and smiled at Robert, "Why don't you stay here for a while, dear... I'm sure the former slaves can find someone else to drill them... I have some work that I should attend to, otherwise, I'd stay with you."

She kissed his cheek and then his lips, "I will see you later... Tonight, no inviting anyone into our room...I wish to sleep with you."

Then she straightened and gave him a soft smile before leaving the room.

[Xion Demente]

Robert smiled and chuckled a bit, "as you wish." Once she left the room, he laid back down on the bed. Sighing and putting his arm over his eyes, he would follow what lauralye had told him. He let his mind drift for the hours that he was alone. He wasn't as upset as he was when he first found out it was gone though it still stung when he thought about his mother.

Sitting up again, he looked to his armor on the floor. He got one of the chests, putting it in there and putting it under the bed for now. Then getting back on the bed and laying down again, it was peaceful for now but he knew it would end he didn't know when.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye returned late that night with dirt of her face clothes. She smiled at Robert and placed his helmet and small box on the bed. She climbed on the bed and placed a hand on his chest, shaking him a little, "Robert," She said quietly, waking him.

When he saw what she had done, she smiled, "Apparently, it isn't that hard to track down a little boy and his things...." She picked up his helmet, "Especially, when they are so unique."

She hopped off the bed and removed her hat and looked at her clothes, "Goodness me, I need a bath..."

[Xion Demente]

Robert laughed to that, before he got on his knees. Picking up the box, he opened it a small smile graced his lips. Before the ring, was held out toward her. "You got it back and I can trust you with it," it wasn't much just a gold and silver band. The helmet went by the chest his armor was in, he still held the ring box toward her.

A smile that he only showed to her now, showed on his face. Sliding the box toward her, before sitting back down on his knees. He yawned slightly, but otherwise it didn't show that he was tired.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye was surprised when Robert held out the ring to her. She tentatively took it and slid it on one of her fingers, "Thank you," She said quietly.

She kissed his cheek before walking into the bathroom. Sometime later, she emerged clean in a white night gown. She moved to the bed where Robert still sat and curled up against him. All her worries from last night about them spreading apart for the moment disappeared. She closed her eyes but did not sleep as she sat there with him. When she spoke again, her voice was soft, "Do... You think we can really be together? Like we wish to be?"

[Xion Demente]

Robert sighed to that question, opening his eyes and looking down at her. His arms were around her stomach, "I've been thinking about the whole king thing and stuff while you were gone as long as I have you by my side then yes I will I will take the throne to be king though I'm not a political guy to deal with but I can try." He rested his chin on top of her head, "there are doubts yes but I'll get through them either way."

[tsubasa]

Lauraye's eyes fluttered open when Robert said that he would take the throne as King. She felt his chin rest upon her head and smiled. She wrapped an arm around him, "You don't have to take up the duties of King... I can do that... After all, that is what the people expect me to do... But the King and Queen as deal with the military which I think you can more than handle. I'll deal with the politics if you deal with the army."